Dust guard



Dec. 18,1945. D. D. B YANT DUS TGUARD Filed Aug. 10, 1944 3 She ets-Shet 1 Dec. 1 8, 1945. D. D. BRYANT I DUSTGUARD Filed Aug. 10, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 18,1945. D. D. BRYANT DUSTGUARD Filed Aug. 10, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Dec. 18, 1945 'UNIT ED bSTATEQS PATE T OFFI E DUST GUARD Donald 1). Bryant, Huntington, w. Va.

Application August 10, 1944, Serial No. 548,835 (01. 286-.6)

15 claims.

This invention is a novel dustguard for journal box housings or the like; particularly adapted for use in freight car, passenger car, and locomotive trucks and tender journals, but may be used in any other desired places.

The axles of freight andpassenger cars, as well as locomotive trucks and tenders, are J'ournaled in journal box housings, and it is required by the A. A. R. to provide dustguards in said journal boxes'in order to keep dust, dint, water, moisture and other foreign or abrasive material from enterin the end of the journal box housing along finished surface of the journals, or causing waste or packing thread. grabs, or causing rusting or spotting of the burnished journal bearing seats often resulting in hot boxes causing derailment, destruction of equipment, train delays, or loss of human life to train crews as well as the travelling public.

p The dustguards now in eneral use, required by the A. A. R., are held in place in a cavity pocket cast or formed in the journal box housing, and the 'dustguard is usually formed of rigid plywood or fibre which fits into the cavity pocket, the fibre or plywood sections of the dustguard being riv-; eted or stapled together; The present dustguards are of little or no'protection for the purpose for present dustguard is impractical, and i inefficient since it does not I contain self-adjusting features. vI-Ieretofore it has been necessary to scra the dustguard unit as a whole; no part being interchangeable or salvaged. I Due to the above conditions, a serious need has arisen for some improvement which would give the desired necessary protection, would elimimate the hazard to'the axles and their appurtenances, prevent hotboxes, protect equipment, save train delays and derailments and serious injuries to the train crews and the travelling public, and which'will save needless expendituresj'for parts and; labor.

Thelprincipal object of my. invention is to provide a self-'adjusting filler rack containing the dustguard band and adapted to fit into the usual cavity pocket cast in thejournal box housing, which filler rack cannot be damaged by jackingup the. canto remove the journal brass since it fits'within' the housing, thus allowing the car to be Lraisedand the bras's'removed simply by removing thefdustguard band from'the filler rack, which latteris shielded and protected by the journal box housing and is not subjected to wear, damage, ormech'anical injury, and which when once installed, becomes a permanent fixture, A further object of the invention is to provide a filler rack as above described witha removable which same are'intended, since the same are not contractible soas to fit snugly around the axle, nor are same adjustable for wear. same, being rigid, are therefore liable to breakage sincetheir rigidity allows no flexibility. Such dus'tguards cannot be removed without removing the truck from the car and disengaging thethe-dust-guard, which has been so damaged by jacking-up the car toremove the brass, no, longer serves as a protection in its broken condition and thus becomes a source ofdanger or liability.

With respect to-the present dustguards,no means 'are provided' for removing or replacing same without shopping the car for heavyduty repairrand thus from a servicing standpoint the Moreover dustguard band entered through an opening at the top of the rack and contacting a metallic supportin band whereby same is guided to en'- circle thev journal, the dustguard band being held closely in place around the journal by the supporting band which is resiliently mounted in the rack to compensate for'wear of the dustguardv band, and the supporting band providing good protection for the dustguard band as no grittyor other particles can pass therethrough.

A further object of the invention is removed at any timewithout the use of tools, its ready accessibility making it convenient for removal at any place or time by merely pulling,

- the same; and willsurmnarizein the claims, the

novel features of construction, and novel com"- to provide an insert band of the above type which may be binations of parts, for which protection is desired.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section through a journal box housing equipped with my improved dustguard filler rack inserted in the usual cavity pocket cast at the inner end of the housing,

Fig. 2 is a transverse section on the line 22, Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged transverse section on the line 33, Fig. 1.

Fig. 4' is a section on the line 4-4, Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of one form 01 dustguard band, detached.

Fig. 6 i an enlarged section on the line 6-45, Fig. 5.

Fig. '7 is an enlarged section on the line I-l, Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of a modified dustguard band, detached.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged section on the line 9-9, Fig. 18.

Fig. 10 is a plan view of .a further modified dustguard band, detached.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged section .on the line I l l I, Fig. 10.

As shown, the journal J of the car truck or other equipment is entered in the normal manner into the journal box .3 of usual construction, the same containing the packing P saturated with lubricant in the usual manner, the particular form of the journal lbox forming no part of my present invention. Such journal boxes B are customarily provided at their inner ends with a dustguard cavity pocket 3' for .the reception of the usual dustguard hereinbefore referred to,

same being of rigid construction, formed of layers of plywood or fibre riveted or stapled together.

In place of the usual dustguard, above mentioned, I provide a filler rack of such size and dimensions as to fit within the cavity 18 which is ordinarily open at the top of box B, said rack being designated generally by the reference character l and making a snug fit within the cavity, as shown more particularly in Figs. 1 to .3.

The filler rack preferably comprises a box-like structure preferably formed of spaced metal plates la, lb, Fig. 4, of size conforming with that of cavity .B", oneof the plates such as la having a peripheral .flange lc, -Fig.- 4,, .and the plates being held together by means of countersunk screws 2 at desired .spaced .intervals to form a rigid shell. Said plates la, lb are provided with journal receiving circular bores le of diameter larger than the journal J. The upper edges of plates Ila, lb are outturned'as at If, said outturned portions overlying the top of box B, and a closure plate 3 having guide slots 3a at its side edges is slipped over the outturned flanges l'j so as to form aremovable top for the filler rack l which will exclude dirt and dust from enteringbetween the plates la, lb.

The flange lc at the top of the filler rack l is severed at one side of the vertical axis of the journal to form an opening lj in the top of the rack 'l, and the adjacent portion of the flange I0 is bent as at lg inwardly and downwardly at an acute angle substantially tangent to the journal J to .form one end wall of the opening l7, while at the other end of opening la thy: flange la is deflected downwardly and inwardly as at Hz at .an obtuse angle (Fig. 3) in a plane substantially parallel to that of the wall lg to form the other end wall of the opening 1; so that the .dustguard band inserted in the opening l7. will be directed by walls lg, lh, Substantially tangentially of the journal J. The cover plate 3 terminates adjacent the band of the flange lg, as shown in Fig. 3, and a hinged cover portion 4 is secured thereto by means of hinge 5, said cover 4 being bowed or arched upwardly as shown over the opening la between the walls lg, lh, the cover plate 4 being extended as at 4a to the side of the rack I, said end of cover 4a. being rolled as at 4b to engage a spring clasp 6, Fig. 3, secured by, screws or the like to the outside of the journal box or to the side of the rack I, whereby when the clasp 6 is deflected away from the hinge 5 the cover plate 4 may be swung upwardly for the purpose of removing or inserting the dustguard band hereinafter described, the clasp 6 normally maintaining the cover plate 4 closed to prevent dust, grit, debris, etc., from entering rack J.

On the inside of the arched portion of cover 4 is a resilient strip 40 secured as at 4e to the underside of the cover adjacent hinge 5, the strip 40 having substantially the same curvature as the arched portion of the cover, .and having a return flange 4f at its outer end normally contacting the underside of the cover 4 and adapted to yield downward pressure on the handle ,lc ofv the dnstguard band 1 hereinafter described. I

Figs. 3 to 7 inclusive .illustrate one form oi dustguard band denoted generally by the numeral 1, same being articulated and consisting, for the major portion of its length, of wooden sections hinged together in a manner similar to links of a chain, each sectionconsisting of pairs of parallel plate members la which are riveted together along their outer edges by pairs of rivets B, said plates la being substantially in the shape of truncated triangles, and said plates la being separated by means of separator plates lb of similar shape hingedly projecting from one side of the pair .of plates la, the projecting portions of the separator plates lb forming tongues adapted to enter the grooves between the pair of plates 1a or an adjacent section, said separator plates being also pivotally connected to the related pair of plates la of the section .by the rivets 8. The edges of the separators 1b and plates la are such that when the dustguar-d .is positioned around the journal .J as in Fig. 3, after being inserted through the opening la in :rack I, the side edges of the plates and separators of the sections will be disposed substantially radial with respect to the axis of journal J. The section plates la and lb are constructed of wood, preferably hardwood maple; and .due to the tongue and groove action of th section, in which the tongues and grooves interlock, when the dustguard is inserted in the opening fly in rack l, as shown in Fig. 3,, the band 1 becomes in eiTect a solid dustguard around journal J.

.At one endpi the band 1 is ahandle lc rigidly secured to the adjacent separator'plate lb by means of rivets 9 and [0 so as to be relatively immovable with respect thereto, .said handle I being shaped to fit between the walls lg, 471., of opening la and having .a rounded outer edge ld engaging the yieldable strip 40 on the underside of'cover 4, whereby the handle 10 is yieldably urged downwardly into .the filler rack I when the cover .isclosed, as indicated in Fig. 3. Preferably the handle 1c is provided with afinger opening le therein whereby when the cover 4 is raised the repairman may insert his finger through hole he and pull the entire band 1 out through the open-- end of the dustguard band 1 isa tip member]! secured to the plates 'Iai ofrthe adjacent section and being of such length as to lie closely-adjacentt 1130' the inclined lower edge lg (Fig; 3) of handle '10, so as to substantially clos the gap between the ends .of band "I' when inserted in place :in: rack- I ,:as shown "in Fig 3; The opening I 7' .in the top of rack I is' closed when'the dustguard band I is inserted into the'rack I, the rigid handle 10 of the band acting as a cover, lock, and removable 51111." The inner edges of each of. the "plates Ia, "Ib and 'Ifare arcuate to conform with the curvatur of journal J. I .In 'order to maintain band I in close contact with-the peripheryof journal'J, a 'metallic band III is providedhaving one end Illa hooked over a post I I, Fig. 3,in rear of wall Ih, the band I passing overa post I2 disposed adjacent the lower,

end of the wall Ih from when the band I0 passes around the outer periphery of the band I to a point adjacent thelower end of the wall Ig,'the band being looped as'at I06 adjacent the wall Ig, and a'fixed post I3 is disposed within the loop] 0b between the ends thereof. A spring I 4 is also disposed in the loop 'IOb between'post I3 and the inner end of the loop, said spring having its ends secured to the loop and post I3 in such manner as to yieldably contract the band Ill around the periphery of the dustguard I and thereby hold each of the sections of the dustguard in close contact with joumal J. 1 1 g When the dustguard band I is entered into'the filler rack I ,the leading end contacts the metallic band Ill which guides the dustguard around the journal Jand holdssame inplace. Moreover, the band I 0 will adjust. itself around the dustguard and will serve asa protector for the dustguard 'I. Preferably the metal band In, is of slightly less width than the spacing between the walls Ia, I b, so that the edges of'the band do not quite touch the sides of the rack, as such touching action would retardthe adjusting action of band Ill. The metal band I0 cannot leave the filler rack when the dustguard I is withdrawn, since the walls. of th openings Ie for the journal J in the plates Ia, 'Ib areslightly inturned. as shown in Fig.4,-v Thus when the dustguard I is removed from the filler rack I the band In cannot be removed therefrom, and all danger ofinjury to the band I0 is eliminated, the'free action of the band In allowing the dustguard I' to move freely at all times within the rack I without leaving its protecting dustguard position around the journal J; and the dustguard band I remains tight at all times regardless of the rough handling of the car Instead of utilizing the articulated dustguard '1, shown in Figs. 3 to '7, a simpler construction of the band may be used as shown in Figs. 8 and 9,'

the same'consistin of a strip of pressed felt I5 (Fig. 9) covered on opposite sides with strips of leather IS, the same having a series of V-shaped notches I I therein extending across the major portion of the width of the strip, said notches II permitting the strip to conform with the curvature of journal J when inserted through opening I7 in filler rack I in the same manner previously described in connection with band I. The handle portion IGb of this dustguard is unnotched, and a hand pull I 8 is secured to the outer edge thereof so that the strip may be readily inserted in and removed from the filler rack. This type of band must be oil-soaked before inserting or using.

In Figs. 10 and 11 a further modification of dustguard band is disclosed, same being similar tolthe construction'shownin Figs. 18 and l9, ex-. cept that the'same preferablycomprlses :a solid felt'strip I9 having a series of V-shaped notches 20' formed therein similar to the notches I1. In this modificationa metallic strip 2|. is applied to the. outer face or back of the felt strip I9, said metal strip havingflanges 2Ia extendinga slight distance up the sides of the felt I9 for the purpose of stiffening thefelt. In this modification the felt strip l9 must also be oil-soaked before using or inserting.

The fillerrack I may be built of metal sheets of desired thickness; or same may bebuilt'entirely of wood,:'such as hard maple plywood with theside plates fastenedto a peripheral spacer by means of waterproof. glue.

In all said modifications the dustguard band may be removed 'at'any time withouttools; .Its ready accessibility makes it convenient ifor removal at any place or time by simply pulling out the band and replacing it again, its entire re moval and replacement taking only a few minutes of time.

I do not limit my invention tothe exact'forms shown in the drawings, for obviously changes may bemade thereinwithin the scope of the claims; and the rack I may, if desired, form a permanent instead of removable element of the journal box housing while permitting the dustguard bands to be removed or replaced.

Iclaim: J. I

.l. A seal for a. journal box having a cavity pocket provided with a bore for a journalj said pocket havin an opening therein; a closure for said opening; a freely swinga ble band yieldably mounted within the pocket around and spaced from the journal and having its ends secured adjacent the opening; and a flexible dustguard band within the pocket encircling the entire periphery of thejournal and interposed between the journal and swingable band, said dustguard to maintain the dustguard band encircled around the journal; the yieldable band maintaining the dustguard band contracted around the journal.

3. In a combination as set forth in claim 1, said dustguard band comprising articulated wooden sections interlockingin tongue and groove relation pivotally connected together and adapted when encircling the journal to make an unbroken contact therewith throughout its length.

4. In a combination as set forth in claim 1, said dustguard band comprising a fibrous oilsoaked strip having strips of oil-soaked leather secured to opposite sides thereof, and having a series of V-shaped notches extending inwardly from one edge thereof, the trailing end being unnotched and extending through said opening and engaging the underside of said closure.

5. In a combination as set forth in claim 1, said dustguard band comprising an oil-soaked strip of felt having a series of V-shaped notches extending inwardly from one edge thereof, the trailing end thereof being unnotched; and a strip of metal secured to the side of the felt opposite from said notches, said metal strip having narrow side flanges engaging the sides of the felt strip to stiffen same.

6..A seal for a journal box having :a cavity pocket; a vfiller rack removably positioned in .a. pocket and having a :bore therethrough for said journal; .said rack having an opening therein; a closure :for said opening; :a freely .swinga'ble band yieldably mounted within the rack around and spaced from the journal and having its ends socured adjacent the opening; and a flexible dustguard band within the rack encircling the entire periphery of the journal and interposed between the journal and swingable band, said d ustguard hand being insertable in and removable from the rack by endwise movement through said opening, the trailing end :of the dustguard band projecting through said opening below the closure to 'form a handle.

' -'1. In a combination as set forth claim 6, yieldable means within the closure on the underside thereof engaging the trailing end of the "dustguard band to maintain the dustguard band aencircled around the journal; the yieldable band maintaining the dustguard :band contracted around the journal.

8.. In :a combination as set forth in claim 6, said closure being hinged to said rack and being arched over said opening; means for maintaining said closure in closing position; and yieldable means within the arched portion of the closure engaging the trailing end of the dustguard band to maintain the dustguardband encircled around the journal; the yieldable band maintaining the dustguard band contracted around the journal.

9. In a combination as set forth in claim 6, said dustguard band comprising articulated wooden sections interlocking in tongue and groove relation pivotally connected together and adapted when encircling the journal to make an unbroken contact therewith throughout its length.

'10. In a combination as set forth in :claim :6, said dustguard band comprising a fibrous -oilsoaked strip having side strips of oil-soaked leather secured to opposite sides thereof and having a series of V -shaped notches extending in wardly from one edge thereof, the trailing end being unnotched and engaging the underside of said closure.

11. In a combination vas set forth in claim 6, said dustguard band comprising an oil-soaked strip of felt having a series of V-shaped notches extending inwardly from one edge thereof, the trailing end thereof being unnotched; and a strip of metal secured to the side of the felt opposite fromsaid notches, said metal strip having narrow side flanges "engaging the sides of the felt strip to stifien same.

12. A seal for a journal box having a cavity pocket; a filler rack 'removably positioned in said pocket and having a bore therethrough through which a journal extends; said rack an opening in its top offset from the :axis of the journal; a closure for said opening; a timely swingable band yi'eldably mounted within the rack around and spaced from the journal and having its ends secured adjacent the opening; a flexible dustguard .band within the rack encircling the entire periphery of the journal and interposed between the journal and swingable band, said dustguardband being insertable in and removable from the rack by endwise movement through said opening, and the trailing end thereof when positioned extending through said opening to form a handle engaging the said closure; said closure being hinged to said rack and being arched over said opening; means for maintaining said closure in closing position; and yieldable vmeans within the arched portion of the closure engaging the trailing end of the dustguard band to maintain the dustguard band encircled around the journal; the yieldable band maintaining the dustguard band contracted around the journal.

13. A dustguard band comprising articulated wooden sections interlocking in tongue and groove relation pivotally connected together, and a rigid handle on .one end of the sections; said handle having a finger engaging hole therein,

14. A dustguard .band comprising a felt strip having side strips of leather secured thereto and having a series of V-shaped notches extending inwardly from one .edge thereof, one end being unnotched; and a finger engaging clip on said unnotched end; said felt and leather strips being oil-soaked.

.15. A dustguard band comprising an oilsoaked strip of felt having a series of V-shaped notches extending inwardly from one edge thereof, one end thereof being unnotched; a strip of metal secured to the side of the felt opposite from said notches, said metal strip having narrow side flanges engaging the sides of the felt strip to stiffen same; and a finger engaging clip on said metal strip adjacent the unnotched end.

DONALD D. BRYANT. 

